I Go to Extremes

"I Go to Extremes" is the fourth track on Billy Joel's 1989 album, Storm Front. It was released as the second single from the album in 1990. It peaked at the #6 position on the Billboard Hot 100, and at #70 on the UK chart. The song was also a Top 10 hit on both the Adult Contemporary chart, as well as the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was also a Top 40 hit in Germany, peaking at #36 on the German charts. According to Joel, the song is an apology that is directed to his then wife, Christie Brinkley. Joel was apologizing for his erratic personality. In live concerts, Joel would often jokingly create new lyrics for the chorus, such as "I go for ice cream", and "I got a new wife on the cover of Life." The song is believed to be about Joel's own lifestyle. The b-side to the single release was another song from the album, "When in Rome". The music video consists of Joel playing with musicians in a room.

[Verse 1] Call me a joker, call me a fool Right at this moment I'm totally cool Clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife I feel like I'm in the prime of my life Sometimes it feels like I'm going too fast I don't know how long This feeling will last Maybe it's only tonight [Chorus] Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes Too high or too low There ain't no in-betweens And if I stand or I fall It's all or nothing at all Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes [Verse 2] Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I'm shot Sometimes I don't know How much more I've got Maybe I'm headed over the hill Maybe I've set myself up for the kill Tell me how much Do you think you can take Until the heart in you Is starting to break? Sometimes it feels like it will [Chorus] Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes Too high or too low There ain't no in-betweens You can be sure when I'm gone I won't be out there too long Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes [Verse 3] Out of the darkness, into the light Leaving the scene of the crime Either I'm wrong Or I'm perfectly right every time Sometimes I lie awake, night after night Coming apart at the seams Eager to please, ready to fight Why do I go to extremes? [Bridge] And if I stand or I fall It's all or nothing at all Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes [Chorus] Oh, I don't know Why I go to extremes Too high or too low There ain't no in-betweens You can be sure when I'm gone I won't be out there too long Darling, I don't know Why I go to extremes [Outro] I don't know why I don't know why I don't know why I don't know why I don't know why I don't know why Out of the dark, into the lights Either I'm wrong Or I'm perfectly right I don't know why